Of war and...Festivals? {{OPEN}}

[ulrica]

Suntaria's flanks and shoulders were slick with sweat as Misae strutted the filly into the busy streets of yet another town. The people here seemed almost as busy as the ants which crawled nonchalantly through the dirt; unnoticed by the larger humans and/or other creatures... "Meat pies!! Get yer meat pies 'ere!!" A man cried from beneath the measly shade of a tattered sheet strung across a few wooden poles and leaned up against a tavern. Perhaps something to drink..? The dragoness wasn't one for mixing meat and pie, a meal she had never tried though was biased against simply because of the name, but a good pint of mead was always welcome by one who wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of alcohol later. It was settled then, she would stop here, grab a drink, and then shove out for the next town and hope it might be a quieter one.

Misae dismounted in front of the shady looking pub, tying her reins behind Suntaria's thick neck and patting the filly's shoulder gently. "I will call you when I need you." The woman said simply before turning and stepping into the dark interior of the tavern. Not even a second passed before her eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, and even less had passed before she noticed the obvious lack of people this business currently suffered from. "Business down?" She asked, pulling her hood back before stepping up to the counter and addressing the bartender behind it. "Well, there's goin' ta be a festival tonight. I suppose everyone's gettin' ready fer it." He said, not looking up from smoothing out what appeared to be a small wooden horse carving. "A festival..." The dragoness mused aloud. "Aye." The man replied, still without looking up. But a festival for what...?

Children were a rare commodity in some villages, perhaps this was one of those sort? Maybe a child had been born and they were celebrating? Or maybe still it was the celebration of another winter survived? Misae turned and walked absentmindedly from the bar without having even sipped at a cup of any drink, the bartender continued on with his work as if she had never existed. The streets were still as busy as ever, but as the dragoness continued watching the bustling humans, she noticed they all seemed to be moving in a uniform motion. Violet eyes followed the crowd's direction of flow to a large field where a pile of wood was being formed. Torches stood around it as well as tables bearing all sorts of drink and food. The sun was slowly setting upon the fast growing preparations, but Misae was no closer to finding out what it was all for. Well, no sense in standing about I suppose... She decided before merging into the mass of people to follow along down to the festival grounds.

---

The sun had fallen upon the open field long ago and yet the crowd hadn't died down even a fraction of what it had been. People still danced merrily, laughing at each others bumbles as well as their own. It was all very interesting, and Misae's thirst had been sated as had her hunger, but she still was ignorant as to what this was all about. Each time she pulled a promising looking villager apart from the others, she was disappointed again by their drunkenness and resulting inability to form coherent sentences. Damn these humans and their stupidity... The dragoness thought angrily, crossing her arms as she leaned back against a table.

Stars emblazoned the sky, a full moon casting its unwavering glow over the flame-lit field. The hour was well past midnight and still the people spun about one another without any sign of tiring. How long can they last like this...? Misae wondered silently, boredom arising as she watched the goings on but never really took part. A gentle breeze tugged at her cloak, pulling her hair up and obscuring her gemstone eyes. However, she didn't worry about her hair, rather a slender hand reached down to pull the dark riding cloak tighter about her person. Most people only gawked in awe at her wings, but some were more vocal about their disapproval. Misae knew these people were more than likely too drunk to notice at this point, but habit was a strong leash to break. And why stir up trouble where it needn't be anyhow? The wind died again and the shifter released her cloak, never once removing her eyes from the boisterous humans. Still present was the gnawing curiosity; what was this all about?[/color]

[Xenoxice]

((OOC: A tip to make things a bit easier =). Read Zens words from right to left.))

Zenithe had been drinking one drink after another for hours now during this festival with no sign of stopping. But being someone who wasn't human, why worry about getting drunk when it was impossible? All the humans around him never seemed to notice the long tail that stuck out a few feet behind him, trailing from under his cloak. Probably too drunk or occupied to notice in any case. Even during the festival, he never once smiled. If he did, nobody would see it anyways because of his cloak and hood which revealed only his crimson eyes to everyone. Humans.... They find an excuse to celebrate almost anything just so they can..... sometimes they have no reason at all, they just celebrate and throw festivals because they feel like it. Senseless. He gave up his drinking only in part to the annoyance of having to pull his cloak down each time he wanted to take a sip. Standing up from the small table he was at he started making his way through the bustling crowd. People all around him having a good time. Dancing, playing games, talking and drinking. All sorts of activities filled the streets today. One not so fun to others as he heard a cry of help nearby. Turning his head around he heard the person crying out. HELP!!! HE STOLE MY MONEY!! Turning around he saw the thief running his way pushing and forcing his way through the crowd.

Waiting and waiting as he watched the thief make his way closer, he stood there in patience. Upon the thief reaching him he moved in front of him and stiff armed him, quickly knocking him back into the ground as the money fell out of his hand. Of course the thief wasn't to pleased with being knocked down in that manner. Who would after all? Pulling a knife out of his back pocket he turned it on Zenithe. Who in turn simply placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword. "...Namuh ylluferac noitca txen ruoy esoohc" The thief just looked at Zenithe with a baffled expression showing he had no clue what he had just said. Get outta my way boy.... Or you'll get hurt... Even at the thief's warning Zen just stood there. "Yawa evom ...ecnahc tsal" Unimpressed and impatient at not understanding Zen's own warnings, he lunged at him attempting to stab him. Unfortunately for the thief he just made the wrong move toward the wrong person. By the time the thief even managed to pull his hand back to lunge forward, Zen had already unsheathed his sword and prepped for a strike. At the motion of the lunge Zenithe dodged to the side and ran his blade clean through and up the mans stomach, chest, neck and head.... unfortunately catching the thief's arm lower on his blade as well making for a much more unsettling scene afterward as the mans arm fell off from the elbow down and the rest split in two.

The look of pure shock and panic struck everyone's face around him and yet not one scream escaped.... yet. "Ycrem evah dna uoy htiw eb dog ruoy yam." With his last phrase Zen simply sheathed his sword and started walking away as if nothing had happened. That's when the chaos began when people's brains finally started to kick in and fully process what had happened and what they were looking at. The crowd scrambled like frightened ants as he simply blended into the mass of fear. But even though he had killed many people before now, something about tonight was different. He could feel it around him like a powerful aura. There was something.... someone not human nearby. He had felt this aura before. One which he could never forget who it belonged to. It couldn't be.... She's here...?!? I haven't seen her since I visited her house that one time. And that client... I couldn't bring myself to go through with it. I just couldn't... I want to see her..... so much... His heart began to race as his mind filled with thoughts of their last encounter and the events that occurred during their meeting with each other.

[ulrica]

<sub>Misae woke with a start to screams of panic and agony, instantly on her feet in a definsive stance. The stench of blood attacked her nose brutally, making the shifter's mouth water against her will. Gemstone eyes watched with something like anxiety as the villagers ran for cover back to the safety of their homes. Well, what they thought would be safety..

Misae extended her consciousness over the field, searching for the person with blood on their mind. She stumbled into the table behind her as an overpowering aura asaulted her psyce. No, no it couldn't be! Not here! Not now! The dragoness whimpered softly, the ache in her heart which she had thought was forgotten suddenly booming back to life. Why? Why was he here? How dare he be here! Agony turned to sorrow and sorrow to anger. She wanted to hit him, to run him through with her sword, to tear into his throat with her talons. She wanted to hurt him like he had hurt her, she wanted him to share the pain and wallow in it.. Just as she had been reduced to a few short months before. I will make him pay... She promised herself with vengeful wrath. I will make him beg for mercy...

It was darker now, the torches trampled out in the dirt by the stampeding feet of panicked villagers. Misae shifted, the figure of a black panther replacingthat of a slender winged young woman. The great feline's tail whipped back and forth as she slunk silently through the shadows. The female shifter came across her old flame rather quickly, she was after all, an excelent tracker. The crowd was a mass of bodies all scrambling to get away, but within it was a single man who stood out from the rest. His figure was shrouded in a long dark cloak, and even though she could not see it, she knew his long black tail would drag the ground a few feet behind him. Red eyes would seem to almost glow from within the darkness of his hood, bloody garnets inlaid in a porcelain mask. 

Violet gems gazed with burning fury at the man who had given her everything, and then taken it back. But she didn't attack... Rather, she padded silently into the tall grass and hunkered down to wait..and watch... She would bide her time until the oppurtune moment. Misae pulled her concsiousness back, hardly breathing, and freezing her muscles into a statue-like state. She was the supreme huntress, and her own heart was her prey.</sub>[/color]    

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe's heart sank in his chest as he stood there like a statue, his cloak fluttering in a breeze that rolled by while the streets rapidly cleared of the occupants. Only a few short moments and it seemed as if it was only him standing there.... all alone. But of course he wasn't. He could feel that she was still there... watching him. From how far she was watching him he didn't know. His head sank as he stood there. Whether guards were coming or not he didn't care. He just seemed to start talking aloud to himself. "How she must hate me now. For leaving the way I did without saying a word...." His voice although strong and steady at first began wavering and trembling with his own pain he held within. "I had to protect her.... I couldn't bare to go through with that request.... To harm her... was... unthinkable...." Barely visible in the few remaining torches that were still lit and didn't get knocked out, tears glinted in the air as they fell to the ground. But just like his tears fell, he too collapsed to his knees as they came out faster. "Misae!!..... I'm so sorry!!...." His voice seemed to raise as he emotions started pouring out all at once after having been held back for so long. "I had to leave for your safety.... to keep you alive.... I wish I had never left your side.... I wanted to live my life without any regrets... but I've regretted that decision since the moment I made it.... Leaving the woman I love to protect her...."

His voice was overlapped by his crying as he remained in the middle of the street on his knees, unable to move as his pain continued to overwhelm him as it released itself in one huge wave. Zen's voice seemed to steady itself but the sorrow and regret held within was very clear as the tears streamed down his face. "The day after I left.... I couldn't bring myself to even move for over a week.... I couldn't look at myself... All I could think about was you and how much I must have hurt you. It tore my heart to shreds every time I thought about what I did.... please... forgive me...." His voice had lost its volume as it had almost dropped to a whisper. "Forgive me Misae.... I beg you.... please understand..." He had dropped to his hands and knees now as he felt helpless against his emotions flowing over him.

[ulrica]

<sub>He was saying something, but the noise was so loud even Misae's sensitive ears were deaf to his words. She growled lowly, suddenly irritated with the behavior of these humans. Why should they get to scream and run around in panic when she was the real one in turmoil? Here she was, faced with the man she had loved so dearly and now hated so completely, and her paws wouldn't even carry her to tear out his throat... Because he did, of course, deserve to die. Even if the tiny voice in the back of the feline's head pleaded with her to change that brutal decision, Zenithe did deserve to die... Didn't he..? Confusion battered the shifter's mind as relentlessly as the succulent smell of blood permeated her nostrils. Oh gods.... What do I do...? She prayed silently, falling onto her haunches with a soft 'huff'.

"Misae!!..... I'm so sorry!!...." His cry was that of a broken man, a sound so filled with agony and sorry that Misae felt her heart breaking as the words echoed in her mind. It's an act... It has to be an act.. She told herself defiantly, she wouldn't be sucked into his lies again. But if it was a lie, then why did he fall to his knees? Why did he cry? If it isn't a lie then why would he leave in the first place? Anger coursed through the female's veins once again, washing away the confusion and empathy she had felt for her fellow dragon. What did she care that he was hurting? Hadn't she hurt just as much and most likely more? Hadn't she been the one to be left behind without even so much as a note? No, she didn't care nor did she want to care.

The crowd was growing thinner as they all scurried back up to their dwellings, not many people were paying attention as a large black panther stepped proudly and incautiously from the tall grass. Not many people saw as she stepped right up to the sobbing man, and no one saw the look of disgust in the feline's burning violet eyes. Zenithe had dropped to his hands and knees, the people completely gone now and oblivious to the scene being played out mere meters away from their 'safe' homes. "Forgive me Misae.... I beg you.... please understand..." Misae growled lowly, her black muzzle mere inches away from the man's hooded head. She stood there for a moment to let him realize that she was here, she was truly standing in front of him and not some phantom of a memory. Gods knew she at least needed that time for herself. The female felt as if she would fall apart at any second. her muscles tensed, as if doing so would hold her shattered being together.

"You are pitiful.." Began the shadowy feline, her violet eyes holding the same look of judgment as the notes of her voice did. "You ran from my chambers and this is how I find you? Lying prostrate on the ground? She snorted derisively, a snarl coming upon her muzzle. "I would have thought you of all people to be stronger than that... You who held the world in your hands, only to let it slip through your fingers upon a glimmer of fear... You are pathetic, and I will shed no more tears for a man such as you." Misae's voice was strong and unwavering, her brutal words as hard and vicious as the decisive tone in her voice. No, he wouldn't worm his way back into her heart...

Then perhaps you are the one with naivety... Misae ignored her words playing at the back of her mind.</sub>[/color]

[Xenoxice]

After slowly gathering himself together he simply remained on his hands and knees as Misae's voice flowed into his ears. While not crying or sobbing anymore, his eyes showed he was from from being his normal self. Even after her voice ended and her words sank in, he was like a statue. Unable to speak until his mind finally kicked in and brought him back to reality. Speak you idiot. Don't just sit there... He let out a very long drawn out breath before he managed to gather his thoughts. "What would you have done Misae...." His words paused only for a moment. "What would you have done if you were ordered to kill the one you lost and cherish the most in the world...? Knowing that the one who ordered you to kill your loved one held ten times the skill you have and would kill YOU if you failed?" His knees bent as he fell back to sit on his legs, his arms hanging loosely by his side. "I couldn't tell you where I was going or why.... He was a psychic.... if you knew anything about my location.... where I was going and when.... he would have tracked me down. He won't kill a woman himself but has no problem doing so to a man. I couldn't carry out his work nor could I just tell you where I was going should he catch hold of your mind..." A small sigh escaped his mouth before he continued. "What would you have done if you were me, Misae? Would you have told me and risked your own location just to put me at ease? Would you have stayed with me and put both our lives in danger? Would you have tried to take on that dragon slayer? Or would you have done the same as me just to keep the chance alive that you may have one day found me again safely without worry... far away from where your client lurked?"

He lifted his head to look at her as he pulled his hood and cloak down, regret filling his eyes. "Ever since I met you, you have been my world. To endanger you because of my own actions would have destroyed that world in a manner that would be irreparable. I couldn't stay and ask you to fight him by my side or run away with you. That man had trouble tracking one person alone but two or more he could do with ease. Which is why he hired people like me to make up his lack of skill in that area. And as I stated before... he's a dragon slayer. The only reason he didn't know I was one is because I keep my tail hidden in front of clients. I could see it in his eyes when I met him.... he has killed dragons bigger and stronger than either of us, all of them male however. Hiring only the best to take care of the females."

Letting his body fall back, a puff of dirt flew up as he let himself lie down in the middle of the street, now looking up at the starry sky which was clearly seen thanks to all the torches being put out during the panic. His arms lie sprawled out to his sides with his knees bent up a bit. "I only wanted to protect us so that I may run into you one day again and explain everything after we were both safe. But after feeling that you were here.... My decision just bolted through my mind and I began second guessing if it had been the right one to make from the start. My love and desire to protect you is what drove me to that decision to keep you as safe as I could." He closed his eyes and let out a deep but quick sigh. "If nothing else.... I just ask that you please understand WHY I did what I did. And I never believed that I held the world in my hands. I never wanted the world at all. The only thing I wanted, the only thing I waited my entire life for is you. If you can't find it in your heart to forgive me for the decision I made, then I ask that you please take my sword and end my life now with your own hands. Without you or your love I have nothing to live for. It's the only reason I'm still alive today... Trying my best to stay alive everyday in hopes of finding you again. And if you do decide not to forgive me, I ask you be careful with my blade. It weighs a good 30 pounds to everyone who wields it but me. And I ask you take good care of it after I'm gone. It's made of such rare metals they're said not to exist."

[ulrica]

<sub>His words were said from the heart, but that didn't make Misae any more inclined to care. He had hurt her, and that was all that mattered in the dragoness's mind. He had promised her a lifetime, and left before a season. The panther had leaped back slightly when Zen fell onto his back, lying there simply staring at the stars. She felt as if she was invisible, surely if he had seen her he would have taken her into his arms and showered her muzzle and head with kisses. Surely he would have forced her into a more compatible form to kiss her properly... No, surely he just didn't realize she was there? But even as the argument raced through Misae's mind, she recognized the foolishness of it. He knew she was there, that she stood mere feet away from his side. The panther padded forward silently, peering down at the man she had once admired so completely. "No, I would not have left. I would have drawn my sword across my own throat before I let anyone harm you. I would have attacked that man no matter how strong he was because I would rather have been dead than think about a future where I was forced to kill you or wait for you. But I have lived many life-times, and death is an easy thing for me to face now..."

She lifted her great head, looking up into the sky as a drop of rain plopped upon her nose. More followed it, scattered sparsely about the field but steadily growing thicker. It was as if the sky cried for her. Great tears splashing into the dirt and grass without end. The gods knew her sadness. Misae sighed, looking back down at Zenithe. "Get up. There is a small cave not far from here. I would suggest we stay in this village for the night, but I doubt they would be very accommodating to any strangers tonight..." With that, she stepped away and started forward at a walk, away from the town and the stench of blood. Away from the smoke of the torches and the dying bonfire. Toward the darkness of the forest, the shadows those tight-knit trees offered. The safety of the wild she knew so well.

Misae didn't look back to see if Zenithe followed her or not. Either he would or he would stay there until someone came looking for the man's body. Then he would be found and beheaded for murder. That is if he would allow the humans to kill him which the dragoness doubted he would. She sighed, pausing and stopping. She couldn't leave him. Misae turned and looked over her shoulder to make sure the man followed. If he could see them, the dragon might notice the agony which swam behind the veil of her violet eyes. The sorrow which tore at her heart each time she looked at him. Yes, he had given his reasons as to why he had left, but that didn't change the pain. The pain which was always there. The pain which reminded Misae that she was alive, and alone... He had left her alone. But he's here now, I'm not alone. The small shred of love burned for Zenithe, his nearness making it quiver with excitement. But the rational part of the dragoness's being, which was most of her, was simply waiting for him to disappear again.</sub>[/color]

[Xenoxice]

At her words Zen slowly picked himself off the ground which now had been turned into mud as the rain continued to pour down. He followed her in dead silence, the only noise around them being the sound of the rain drops hitting the leaves of the trees and ground. With each step a new thought raced through his mind along with a different emotion. Fear of losing her for good. Anger toward himself for being foolish. Sorrow at not being there and staying by her side. Regret about the decision he had made. All of it mixing and muddling together. I must have hurt her worse than I thought.... I never should have left like that. And because of it.... I might have lost the one and only person to have ever loved me whom I loved in return... Each step felt like an eternity to him as he walked behind her without saying a word.

It wasn't until she stopped to look back at him that he caught the first good look of her eyes which he couldn't see before. Look at them... He thought to himself. So full of pain, and it's MY fault... He walked up to her as his wings slowly sprung out from his cloak while she stood there. His wings arched over them as he created a canopy to stop the rain from falling upon them as he knelt down in front of her. His eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around her neck and held her tight, his voice quiet and soft, yet holding an underlying tone that was strong and determined as if he had gathered himself together and chosen to stop feeling pity and take action to try and fix things. "I'm not perfect Misae. I'm far from it and will never say I am. I've made plenty of mistakes in my life but none as big as the one I made when it came to you, I'll openly admit that. I screwed up the ONE good thing I had going in my life as quickly as I had gained it." His voice grew a bit louder to speak over the rain that seemed to be picking up even more, but the tone remained the same. With each word it was clear he was being sincere and speaking form his heart. "I've done many things in my life. All of them I am ashamed to admit I had anything to do with. All of them except for one thing. Meeting and getting to know YOU. I want to make things right. The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you but it seems I failed. I can only ask that you forgive me for my actions and let the past remain just that.... the past. I want to look forward to a future that's bright with you in it. Not one in which I remain alone or with another."

His arms grew a bit tighter as his words continued. "I don't want you to hate me forever for what I did. I only did what I thought was best to protect us both. But sometimes even the best intentions can bring pain and sorrow... fear and regret. An unavoidable fact of life that I hope and pray we can work past. I only want to give you everything I can and to learn from my mistakes. And this one mistake... is one I will NEVER make again in my life. I want to love and protect you but please, allow me to do it the right way this time.... by remaining by your side no matter what it may be. To never leave you the way I did before and make up for my mistakes." His voice faded off as his arms remained around her neck, hugging her, waiting to see what she would do or say.

[ulrica]

<sub>Misae hardly noticed as his wing spread over her, stopping the rain before it could hit her. She even turned to continue, but he was there, kneeling before her and wrapping his arms around her muscled neck. The panther made a short noise of surprise, tensing instinctively until she realized what was happening. Warmth spread from where his arms touched her fur, like rays of sunshine running across her body. It was a pleasant sensation to say in the least. "I'm not perfect Misae. I'm far from it and will never say I am...." The dragoness had to hold back a snort. Oh yes, he was far from being perfect, but she couldn't help but love him. Couldn't help but nuzzle her cheek into his neck as he fell silent once again, his arms tight around her. Her form melted into his and a low purr emanated from deep within the feline's chest. "I have missed you...." She breathed, hardly daring to say the words aloud for fear of her voice shattering this dream. Because of course this was all a dream, any second now she would wake and he would be gone once again. It would be Assyrian who she was curled up with, finding comfort in the nearness of her closest friend. But no, it wasn't a dream and no amount of nuzzling changed that.

"I thought I had done something wrong, that you had had a change of heart, or worse that you had been killed. I was so sad and lonely, I missed you oh gods I missed you so much." The words came out as a cascade of emotion and before she knew it, Misae had shifted into her anthro form. Her slender arms were wrapped tightly around Zenithe's neck and she buried her head in the crook of his neck sobbing silently. Yes, sobbing. She cried into his shoulder like a child, her hands clutching at his cloak as she clung to him desperately as if he would vanish. "I missed you so much..." She sobbed, holding the man tighter still. Oh Assyrian is going to love this...</sub>[/color]

[Xenoxice]

His arms seemed to tighten around her as she spoke past her sobs. "I missed you so much..." He fought to hold back tears from hearing those words. "Misae.... I thought I had lost you forever.... I missed you too.... more than you realize..." A gentle smile crossed his lips as he continued to hold on to her. "Never again will I make the mistake of hiding anything from you... Never again will I leave your side like before. I promise to you before the gods that I will be only the best for you." He folded his wings down to embrace and warp around her, providing warmth in the rain. His smile gradually increasing in size as he simply held her in his arms, perfectly happy with the moment as he started to whisper. "You could never do anything wrong to push me away.... my heart will never change when it comes to how I feel about you, I love you and always will.... and I will always do my absolute best to stay alive so that we may be together." His left hand reached up to hold her head dearly next to him as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry I put you through that Misae... You deserved better than that but I'm back... I'm here. And I'm here to stay until the day I die. Never again... Never again will you have to miss me... Never again will I let you be or feel alone." Zen couldn't help but feel overjoyed at knowing she still loved him. The sorrow... the pain and feeling of loneliness were being washed away as his arms remained around Misae. The rain being completely forgotten in his mind.

[ulrica]

<sub>Misae mentally scolded herself, how could she have ever thought of walking away from him? How could she have ever thought she would have been able to? As he whispered words of love in her ear, his arms holding her tight as she cried out the weeks and months of sorrow and agonizing loneliness, she felt as if a great weight was slowly being lifted from her chest. It was easier to breathe, easier to think about life because now she didn't have to continue on alone. Now he was here, he was with her and everything was going to be ok again. Everything was going to be alright. "I love you..." She whispered, relaxing into his arms as her violet eyes fluttered closed. Peace settled over her. The woman didn't think or move, she hardly even breathed. All that she was capable of doing or wanted to do at that moment was stay there with him; feel his arms around her, and the love they shared. The love which she had waited decades for, and would have waited centuries for if she had to.

The time passed and minutes felt like seconds, but finally Misae recognized the need to get out of the weather as well as getting away from this town. Zenithe had just killed one of their people, there was no telling what the villagers would do if they found their courage. A dragon can fend off many people, but the female shifter wasn't sure if they would be able to defend themselves from all those people. "Zen... We need to go." Something like a strangled laugh escaped her slightly parted lips and she pulled away enough to look him in the eye, one hand raising to softly caress his cheek if he would allow it. "It is raining after all." Misae stood, attempting to pull him up with her.</sub>[/color]

[Xenoxice]

Zen could feel it around her. She was starting to relax more and more with each passing moment until she was much calmer. "I love you..." Those three words echoed in his mind again and again as he smiled. "I love you too Misae... Always will." He could have spent an eternity there with her in his arms but he knew there were so many better things in life to be done with the one you love than just holding each other. And being a dragon with a much longer life-span than other creatures gave the freedom to enjoy it even longer. His mind swam with thoughts of her until her words brought him back to reality. "Zen... We need to go." He shook his head as if coming out of a dream upon her hand caressing his cheek. He simply looked at her with a smile, placing his hand upon hers. "It is raining after all." He lightly chuckled as she stood up trying to pull him up too.

Upon finally standing up he nodded, his wings retracting to hide themselves in the off chance someone found them. "You're right. And Misae, never again will I continue my profession so that I may avoid those who would seek to hurt you or anyone else. I'll just make use of my other talents." He reached out and took her hand into his, holding it gently as he started to walk slowly, waiting for her to walk by his side. He looked up at the trees as the rain still fell from the sky just thinking of how wonderful it felt to be with her again. He wanted to show her something special but he couldn't think of anything right off the bat unfortunately. Only after a few minutes or so did it occur to him how uniquely his sword reacted to water which is why he never drew it out while it was raining. "Hey, Misae... I want to show you something neat which I stumbled upon a long while ago, before I met you. Luckily for us it's still raining otherwise I'd have to find a pond or lake. It's the only reason I never accepted a task during bad weather.... I would have stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle of a crowd."

Letting go of her hand for just a few moments, he slowly drew his extraordinarily large sword from its sheathe, turning the blade so one of the flat sides faced up. Almost instantly it could be seen what was so incredible about it. Each and every drop of rain that hit upon the sword seemed to illuminate in an aqua blue light. As they slid off the sword, it was as if they were painting it, leaving the luminescent coloring behind. It always amazed him to no end how it was as if the sky was performing a work of art upon his blade. "It took me a while to figure out why it does this. But I found out only a few months ago. The metal that composes the half-inch translucent black edge around the blade, was made from an ore called Arilinirium. A very rare and if I might say so myself, hard to obtain ore found in the deepest canyon outside Arilnor a few miles. You might have seen it if you went to the south a bit. It turns out, when turned into a metal it gains a specific property that when touched by water, creates a chemical reaction within the water, causing it to become luminescent in this color. After the water drips off, the bits of water left inside the smallest pours of the metal remain and it keeps the glow for a few hours until it dries out." By the time he had finished explaining, that entire strip of metal along the outer edge of his sword were glowing as bright as a torch.

"It's great for lighting your way in the dark if you can't see and happen to have spare water handy." He laughed a little as he held his sword out to her. "Take it. It'll be a bit heavy since the magical ore composing the metal in the middle of the blade won't react to you, but there's just this.... 'feeling' you get when holding this sword that makes you feel.... how can I put this.... stronger... I guess? More powerful or I guess even more alive?? I STILL don't know everything about the two ores I used to make it even after more than ten years. I haven't let anyone, EVER, touch let alone hold it, but I want you to. See if you can feel what I'm talking about." He awaited her to grasp the hilt and take it from him before he would continue to walk away from the town who was probably looking for him by now. He let out a small laugh. "And please be careful. It looks new and very sharp but its appearance holds nothing on just how much it actually is. I've seen it occasionally split an opponents sword clean in two without receiving the smallest scratch on itself."

[ulrica]

<sub>He was done, finished with his job as a murderer. He was going to stay with her instead of risking his life against who knew what kind of people. He was going to protect her instead. He was going to love her like he was supposed to. Zenithe took her hand in his as he retracted his wings, pulling her along after him as he began to walk toward the forest she had been heading for just moments before. Seconds later, trees rose up around them, blocking out the dying bonfire and the bloody sight of the man. "Hey, Misae... I want to show you something neat which I stumbled upon a long while ago..." The dragoness stopped as Zen did, a frown coming over her face as he pulled his hand away. She would have protested had he not pulled his sword from the scabbard then and revealed to her a wondrous show. As the rain fell upon the blade, and her love's voice filled the air, the sword began to glow with some inner light. It was a beautiful thing to see, that sword glowing brightly in the night with almost a surreal light. Misae laughed, more of a giggle, a noise of pure joy.

"Take it." The dragoness looked up, her eyes wide as she suddenly went silent. Was he serious? She couldn't take his sword! But there he was waiting for to grasp the hilt and lift the weapon from his hands. Breathing in deeply, Misae squared her jaw and wrapped a hand around the sword hilt. Zenithe took his hands away and the dragoness blinked. It was heavy, but it wasn't like any weight she had felt before. All at once, the sword seemed to meld to her palm, growing into her as if it was simply an extension of her arm. The weight was there, she could tell by the strain of the muscles in her arm, but her mind didn't register it. Misae followed Zen as he continued, her face an unreadable mask. As the sword remained in her hand, she felt more things. Bad things... She could feel the lives of thousands of men and women as they fell beneath this blade, almost hear their cries of death and pain echoing like ripples in the pond of time...

"Zenithe.... I think you should take it back now...." There was an odd look on her face as she held the sword out for the man. A mixture of shock, awe, and terror. Never had she felt such sheer power in a weapon, as if the metal itself were alive. That's crazy...Isn't it..? Even her mental voice sounded half crazed with fear.</sub>[/color]

[Xenoxice]

As Misae took the sword from his hand he smiled a bit watching for a few moments as she held it before he began walking again. Silent thoughts ran through his mind as they continued on. I should have told her everything I knew about it... But I need to know if it's just me or not. It wasn't but a few minutes later after the town had completely disappeared behind them that her voice broke the silence. But upon turning around Misae's expression confirmed what he was hoping for. It told him she had heard everything. "Zenithe.... I think you should take it back now...." Reaching out his hand he grabbed the sword and lifted it with ease, placing it back in its sheathe. "Sorry about that Misae.... I should have warned you something like that would happen. Luckily... being dragons we can only feel and hear it while we're touching the sword. If any human were to so much as even carry it.... they'd be driven insane by the voices and emotions." Zen let out a heavy sigh as he shook his head slowly. "And judging from the expression you had you probably felt.... pain and sorrow? Lucky you. Each time I hold this thing I feel vengeance.... hatred and resentment flowing through it. Some humans have heard whispers from it just from me walking by them. And they turn and ask if anyone else heard someone cry out for help. I guess depending on who is holding it, it changes which of the emotions that person felt." He shrugged as he took a few steps toward Misae and stood by her side. "On the bright side, at least I know I'm not going crazy and hearing things like I thought I was."

He reached over and took her hand into his once more as he tried to help her forget what she just experienced. Letting the warmth of his hand melt into hers as he smiled. "I don't think I should be leading us. After all, you're the one who knows where the cave is. Not me." He chuckled lightly once more. "The last thing we need is for me to get us lost." With a brief pause he looked into her eyes with a gentle smile. "And how has that Assyrian been doing? He never really liked me to begin with but I do want to work things out with him so he doesn't hate me and so I don't come between you and him since I know you're friends."

[ulrica]

<sub>Zenithe's explanation fell on deaf ears, she was still absorbed in the sword. Even after it had been removed from her hand those haunting screams echoed in the dragoness's head. It was a horrifying thing, but also a sobering reminder. She was ageless, an ancient to the people who lived in the surrounding villages, and yet it was weapons like that sword which would send her trembling to her knees... A warmth closed around her hand and Misae blinked, remembering where and who she was. The screams were still there but easier to ignore, and the more time she spent with Zen the less painful they would he to bear until fading away all together. It would pass and she would once again be strong and detached, it always did.

"I don't think I should be leading us." "Wha-?" The woman stared blankly at the man before, studying him as if he were some strange creature she had never seen. Pay attention! "Oh, um, right. Yea come on, this way..." The sentence trailed off slowly as if simply forgotten. She led him through the forest, her feet following the familiar path almost solely through instinct. Her mind was preoccupied, fear of her love's sword and confusion as to why said fear was present. Was it the souls which lingered within the strange metal? The way its surreal glow showed barely from the cracks of the sheath, the way it seemed to reach for her as if those cursed souls were drawing her essence to them, consuming it as if it would return their life. NO! Misae closed her eyes, stopping suddenly to pull her scattered nerves back together. Wait... A noise... A scent so small it was hardly present. Misae's eyes opened and she frowned just as Zenithe spoke again. Inquiring about the very daemon who now stalked them. "Well, I'm feeling a lot better now that I've found you..." His voice cut through Misae's senses, striking deep in her psyce. Following the deep rumbling noise was the man himself, tall, muscled figure, and familar tatooed visage. Misae growled lowly, he wasn't supposed to be here. "You will not touch him, Syri... Gods help me I will remind you of your mortality if you do.." She threatened, taking up a defensive stance and gently laying one hand on Zenithe's chest to push him behind her if he would oblige. The dragoness wasn't sure what the shifter would do, but in a fight between he and Zen, she wasn't sure who would win..</sub>[/color]


_{Shadowfax tossed his head, his bridle jangling in the dark. "Steady now, what is it?" Assyrian soothed his charger, giving him a pat on his neck. The horse settled for a moment, though it took little more than a few seconds before he was acting up again. This time, the knight realized he was turning toward something, a shape which darkened the shadows. A nicker sounded through the night to which Shadowfax replied with a whinney. "Suntaria...?" Assyrian said wonderingly, sliding from his mount's back to inspect the filly. Her legs were scratched up a bt from wandering through the forest, but other than that she was unharmed. "So where's your rider then....?" Della poked her head from he soulmate's vest, sleepy eyes surveying the scene with disinterest. "Why did we stop?"}[/i][/color] She yawned, slinking on to the man's shoulder in the skin of a ferret. Her beady eyes quickly took in the scene around them. "Where is Misae?"[/i][/color] She asked worriedly, clinging to her counterpart as if searching for comfort. "Don't worry she can't be far."[/i] He assured, tying Suntaria to a low hanging branch and doing the same to Shadowfax nearby, Assyrian ducked into the deeper forest with Della clinging to his person.

It wasn't long before he felt her, the essence of a dragon attacking his senses. "See, not far at all."[/i] He gloated playfully, silently scanning his surroundings. He was there. That man who had left his charge, broken and scarred. The cause of her sleeplessness and terrorized nights of screaming into Assyrians chest. The thousands and thousands of shattered weapons, destroyed against anything that was within range of her arm. This was the man who had turned his only and dearest friend into little more than a physical wraith. Assyrian stepped into the clearing, made his presence clear and smirked at Misae's reply. Then, ever-changing eyes turned their gaze on Zenithe, watching him with the cool calculation of a beast. "Hello ya overgrown lizard, handsy as ever eh? Why don't you just take your claws off the girl?" He encouraged, his voice anything but inviting. He was pissed, no beyond pissed. He was furious.[/sub][/color]